How to Wear an Asymmetrical Dress: Our Complete Guide!

Are you wondering if an asymmetric dress would flatter your figure? Do you want some outfit ideas featuring a split dress? Or perhaps you’re looking for more information on asymmetric wedding gowns?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I really love asymmetrical cuts, which allow for a fresh take on classic garments by adding a touch of flair and originality.

Today, I'm bringing you a comprehensive guide to the asymmetrical dress, so you can find out if it suits your style and how to wear it.

Whether your dress features a plunging neckline or an asymmetrical hem, special attention should be given to the choice of your shoes, as well as your hairstyle and makeup. Wearing an asymmetrical dress usually adds a touch of elegance, regardless of your figure. Its unique cut draws the eye to your legs or your neck and shoulders. It can be worn for everyday occasions, as well as for events like a formal evening or a wedding. There are even stunning asymmetrical wedding dresses available, perfect for those looking for a design that combines style and originality!

Would you like more details? Keep reading to find out more:

• What defines the three main types of asymmetrical dresses,

• What body shapes do they flatter,
• If an asymmetrical wedding dress might be right for you,
• How this type of dress can enhance your curves,
• And finally, a tutorial for those who want to try their hand at sewing an asymmetrical dress!

What is an asymmetrical garment? What about the dress?

Are you wondering what exactly an asymmetrical garment is? Let me give you a straightforward answer before we dive into the details. 😉

A Unique and Stylish Outfit Cut

The vast majority of the clothes we wear are symmetrical, as most bodies are. It was in the early 20th century, in 1912, that Madeleine Vionnet, a French designer, first created high fashion garments with bias cuts. This marked the beginning of asymmetrical clothing styles, which later appeared with renowned designers like Balenciaga, and eventually influenced ready-to-wear fashion.

An asymmetrical dress or jumper is, by definition, a unique piece of clothing designed to offer great freedom of movement: indeed, Madeleine Vionnet was a pioneer in her time, being the first to eliminate the corset in favour of more fluid, comfortable, and body-friendly garments.

Discover the 3 Main Types of Asymmetrical Dresses

For a dress, asymmetry can be created in three different ways:

• by shortening the skirt portion at the front of the legs to reveal them while keeping the length at the back,
• by creating an asymmetrical neckline that leaves one shoulder bare while covering the other,
• by adding a slit on the side of the skirt to glimpse a leg up to the thigh during movement: this is the renowned split dress.

3 Tips for Rocking a Shorter Dress in the Front

To kick things off, I’d like to share some tips on how to wear the first type of asymmetrical dress I mentioned in the previous paragraph. This style is often used for evening dresses, wedding dresses, and also bohemian maxi dresses, adding a lovely dimension to the look.

➡️ An asymmetrical dress, when styled, requires you to pay close attention to how you'll match it. A chic and glamorous hairstyle that pulls your hair up, like a high bun, will pair especially well, along with subtle makeup that complements the colour of your dress.

➡️ The choice of shoes is crucial. If you're looking for a safe option, you can wear stilettos, which will enhance your legs and elevate your silhouette. If you're not very comfortable in heels, you might opt for strappy sandals, which will also pair well with this style of dress.

➡️ Finally, keep in mind that this type of asymmetric dress looks particularly flattering when it has multiple layers. This could include petticoats or a special drape, which will create a stunning effect of volume and movement, making it quite stylish.

The Asymmetrical Neckline Dress, Perfect for Those with Broad Shoulders

When you have broad shoulders, it can sometimes be a bit tricky to find a neckline that truly showcases your bust. An asymmetrical neckline dress, with its unique design, will highlight your neck and shoulders beautifully. The diagonal cut creates an optical illusion that draws attention to one of your shoulders and your neck.

👉 If you’d like, you can wear a choker necklace with this type of neckline, with or without earrings. This will brighten up your face!

👉 When it comes to hairstyles, you can definitely wear your hair down or tied up. You might want to sweep it to one side to match the flow of your dress. However, if you choose to do this, the side that is exposed must be the one with your bare shoulder to keep your look balanced.

The Split Dress … a closer look at a unique asymmetric dress

Are you looking to wear a dress that is both sexy and light? The asymmetrical split design could be just right for you. With its cut-out skirt, it reveals the length of your leg and the curve of your thighs, which is subtly suggestive while still being chic and elegant.

Like the asymmetrical neckline, this style of cut creates an optical effect that naturally draws the eye to your legs, making them appear longer.

Out of the three styles of asymmetrical dresses in this article, this one is the easiest to pair with a jacket, whether you opt for one that is long and falls below the knee or one that is shorter and sits at the waist, as it nicely accentuates your figure.

👉 Finally, just like with the shorter dress at the front, I recommend wearing a lovely pair of heels or sandals to showcase your legs.

Wedding Trend: An Asymmetrical Wedding Dress

Are you looking for a wedding dress that's both stylish and unique? There are plenty of stunning asymmetric wedding dress designs available. These dresses break away from the traditional look while still being glamorous, and they have the added benefit of suiting most body types.

A cocktail dress with an asymmetrical neckline or a split skirt will be ideal for a wedding with a smart dress code and a sophisticated atmosphere. If you’re looking for something simpler, perhaps for a civil ceremony, I recommend opting for shorter dress styles, which will create a sense of liveliness.

Bohemian wedding dress

Can I wear an asymmetrical dress if I’m curvy?

If you have a curvy figure, you can absolutely wear this type of dress. However, I highly recommend that you choose plus-size styles specifically designed to showcase your beautiful curves. This will ensure that your asymmetrical dress falls perfectly and maintains balance.

Don’t hesitate to wear dresses with stunning drapes that will truly enhance your silhouette, giving you the look of a goddess! If you’d like, you can also highlight your waist with a belt for a fantastic effect! 😉

How to Make an Asymmetrical Dress?

Are you new to sewing? If so, I recommend trying your hand at making a split dress, as it doesn't require you to sew a bias hem.

Indeed, creating a neckline or a bias-cut skirt requires the development of a specific pattern that must be followed accurately, so that the various fabric pieces making up the dress can be assembled without any issues.

If you’d like to see more clearly what this is about, I recommend watching this video, which explains exactly how to create a pattern for an asymmetric neckline.

Once you've created the pattern, all that's left to do is trace it onto the fabric and carefully sew the various pieces of your bodice together. For the petticoat, you can use this technique:

All you need to do next is combine the two elements to create a stunning asymmetrical dress!

I hope this article has helped you learn a bit more about asymmetrical dresses and inspired you to wear them every day, to elevate your style with class and uniqueness!

Many of the dresses featured in the illustrations of this article are from our collection of chic bohemian dresses. Check them out now, along with many other unique styles, by visiting our online store!

Long Bohemian Dress